A Connecticut shop had a great chance of having to close its doors for the day on Monday due to declining sales, in part, according to the owners, because of their public support for LGBTQ rights.
However, Bakery’s supporters in Bristol and elsewhere supported Birch users Erika and Dave Landi, and love triumphed on numerous fronts.
The Landis are still struggling financially, but on Monday they returned to 105 Oak St., bread and grinning.
Customers flocked to the store in droves from all over the state on Saturday to purchase their baked goods.
Amazingly, there was a line outside when the Landis opened on Saturday, and the shop quickly ran out.
They briefly closed to continue baking, reopened at lunchtime, and sold out in another 45 minutes.
Following that, they received orders to be delivered or picked up on Sunday.
Kind customers helped by bringing pie, coffee, and shifts for the team.
Dave Landi remarked, “We were shocked- actually blown away,” noting that the support felt just as important as the money.
“This was a huge improvement. We’re pleading with you to place an order from us, not for cash.”
The same customer’s GoFundMe campaign raised $3,845 of its $10,000 goal in a matter of days.
They are making changes in the hopes of staying in business, Landi said, adding that “we have put everything we have into it.”
The bakery’s operating hours, which are three times a year, have been changed from noon to 7 p.m. on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, from 9 am to 3 pm.
According to Dave Landi, there has been a significant decline in retail visitors, which has negatively impacted the business financially due to the high and constantly fluctuating cost of ingredients, labor issues, and other factors. They began operations in 2021.
He and Erika credit their vocal support of the LGBTQ area and other social justice issues for a portion of that collapse.
The Landis put it out there that they had rainbow cake shortly after they opened, according to Landi. A rally was held in Bristol about a strip away promoting “traditional” marriage.
Additionally, he claimed, they sell rainbow cake, display a sizable PRIDE flag in the window, and post an “Everyone’s Welcome Here” sign.
Erika Landi stated that because they are such small business owners, she believes some customers simply “kind of forgot about us.” She hoped that folks would keep coming back. They are “above water” now, she said, after next weekend.
Ken Rasmussen-Tuller, the president of Bristol Democratic Town, who is married to a person with whom he has three children, claimed that the couple enjoys great support from the LGBTQ area and delicious baked goods. Regular Rasmussen-Tuller
claimed that he just recently planned an entire meal around the garlic bread from the bakery.
He said, “We very much appreciate the Landis’ support of our community and we appreciate we have a safe place to go.” “Watching Bristol show up for them over the weekend was really touching. I don’t want them to have to lock the doors.”
Despite the fact that he and Erika have always supported justice as former health care staff, Dave Landi claimed that there was a strong emphasis on treating people equally. He was a paramedic and she worked as an emergency department tech before starting the shop.
He said, “We just want people to know that we accept them here.” “It’s just political if you make it political, in my opinion.”
Dave Landi speculated that his recent campaign for town council on the grounds of justice and compassion may also be a contributing factor in the decline.
Danielle Bender, a small business owner and nurse, organized the groundswell to save the patisserie. Erika Landi has been supplying her with all of her cakes for the past 12 years, ever since she used to bake at home while obtaining her cottage business license.
The Landis, according to Bender, “give plenty to all parts of the community, and I thought it was only fair to support her as she has helped us.”
Bender said the couple has “definitely created a safe space for anyone who’s LGBTQ friendly,” though she is unsure how much the LGBTQ support has to do with the decline in business.
She referred to the woman’s baked goods as “To die for,” and a person in line on Saturday informed her that after living in France, he travels all the way from Greenwich to purchase croissants and pastries.
Customers can order any snack that isn’t available, including those that are healthier and gluten-free, at the shop, which calls itself an “artisanal microbakery.”
They carry niche foods like cakes, biscuits, muffins, pastries, bread, and croissants.
Bender said, “I really hope people continue to support her baked fresh everyday and custom made to order goods.” “The aid Bristol has given her has me speechless.”
Erika pleaded on Facebook last year, saying, “We need a great Saturday and Sunday here because it might be the last.”
“I’m so sorry I have to discuss this, but the shop might be closing on Monday,” she continued. “While the latest changes have helped and set us on a path to being green, we may continue to operate without financial assistance. I have given everything I own and have to making this dream green.”
She wrote, “I have also used the platform of my bakery to support and stand with the LGBTQ community, even though it has cost me customers and money, because they deserve that,” on her Instagram page.
“And if this is the end of my journey, I want you all to know that I love each and every one of you,” she concluded. “Including those who didn’t like me or my work because it improved me. I send you my best wishes for happiness and success in the world!”
